Junior Professional Officer (JPO)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization grounded in the vision of equality as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Its mission is to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women operates globally, working in various countries to promote gender equality and women's empowerment, and it is committed to ensuring that women's rights are recognized and upheld in all areas of society.

Job Overview:
The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work under the direct supervision of the Country Representative at the Nepal Country Office (NCO). The primary function of this position is to support coordination and program support functions, particularly in strengthening strategic partnerships and coordination for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) within the UN System and with external partners, including government and development partners. The JPO will engage in various initiatives aimed at enhancing coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, contributing to the overall mission of UN Women in Nepal. The role includes establishing a work plan in collaboration with the supervisor, participating in training components, and gaining valuable insights into UN coordination structures and systems. The JPO will also develop skills in advocacy, communication, and resource mobilization, which are essential for effective program implementation and partnership development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The JPO will be responsible for several key functions, including:

• Strengthening partnerships by managing and coordinating relationships with key partners such as government, civil society, private sector, and donors.
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts by contributing to the design and implementation of resource mobilization strategies, drafting proposals, and identifying funding opportunities.
• Providing support to inter-agency coordination by preparing briefing materials for UN inter-agency processes, offering technical inputs on gender perspectives, and supporting monitoring and reporting on gender equality results.
• Contributing to advocacy and communication efforts by implementing campaigns on GEWE, drafting advocacy products, and managing content for social media and web platforms. The JPO will also be expected to participate in interagency meetings and represent UN Women at various levels, ensuring that gender equality is prioritized in discussions and initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be considered an added advantage. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of gender equity and women's empowerment issues, as well as knowledge of the UN system and inter-agency coordination processes.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by two additional years of qualifying experience. Candidates with project/programme management certifications will have an advantage in the selection process.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of progressively responsible work experience in development programme/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building. Candidates with a Master's degree should have a minimum of 2 years of experience, while those with a Bachelor's degree should have at least 4 years of relevant experience. Experience in women's leadership and governance systems, as well as in partnership, coordination, and resource mobilization, is considered an asset. Prior experience working with UN agencies or international NGOs is also advantageous, along with familiarity with administrative systems and UN norms.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UN official working language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is exclusively open to nationals of Norway as part of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of Norway. The application process requires candidates to submit a brief motivation letter in English, a copy of their passport, and copies of their educational degrees. UNDP is committed to equal opportunity and values diversity, encouraging qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The organization does not tolerate harassment or discrimination and ensures that all selected candidates adhere to relevant standards and principles. UNDP reserves the right to select multiple candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for similar positions in the future. It is important to note that UNDP does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.